Door frame for railway hopper cars



Aug, 22, 1950 w. EjwmE 2 519,529"

DOOR FRAME FOR RAILWAY HOPPER CARS 3 Sheet-Sheet 1 Filed June 10, 1947 IN VEN TOR. W1 11mm 3. Wine,

BY I

ug- 2, 1950 w. E. WINE 2,519,529

nook FRAME FOR RAILWAY HOPPER CARS Filed June 10, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

INVENTOR. Williarnfl M'zze,

- LYMS Patented Aug. 22, r 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE noon FRAME FOB, RAILWAY HOPPER CARS William E. Wine, Parker, Va... Application June 10 1947, SerialNo. 753F572 1 invention relates. to-railway hopper cars and more particularly todoor. frames for the hopper. v

One of the principalobjects of. the invention is to provide a hopper doorv frame in which. the

9. claims. (Cl. 105-253),

flange thereof for cooperatingwith the hinged door is. renewable...

Another object. of the invention is to seal the upper portion of the hopper against the, escape of lading where the doorfframe adjoins the car center sill.

A primary feature of the invention consists inproviding the hopper door frame with portions surrounding all sides of the lading. discharge opening of the. hopper which are disposed in a common plane and, in riveting to those portions an angular member which is formed with an outwardly projecting flange for cooperating with the hinged door of the hopper: to seal the lading dis: charge opening thereof againstthe escape of lading.

Another feature, of the invention consists in providing a-door frame for the hopper of a-railway car comprising 3; rolled member having portions'adapted to be secured to the bottom and to the inner and outer sides of the hopper and an angularmember having afiang'riireted to the rolled member and also having an outwardly extending flange for cooperating with" thehinged door of the hopper to seal the lading discharge opening thereof against the escape of lading. 7

Another feature oftheinvention consists in providing the upper-portionof the inner side sheet of the hopper-which inclines downwardly and outwardlytofclear' a flange-at the lower edge of the center sill with olfiset means adjacent the door frame of the hopper toclosethe upper inner corner of the hopper;

Other and more specific features of the invention, residing in advantagepus formsQcombinationsand relations'of'parts, will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the-claims.

In the drawings,

' Figure l is a cross sectional view of one-half of a'railway hopper car showing the discharge end of one of the hoppers in elevation.

Figure 2 is an outside side elevational view of'the construction illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross'sectional view taken on line 3- 3 of Figurel.

Figures 4 and 5' are enlarged cross sectional views taken on'lines 4-! and 5-5 respectively ofFigure 1.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken: on line li -5- of Figure '3.

.Figure 7 is a'iront elevational view of the hopper door frame.

Figure 8 is aside elevational view of Figure '7: when viewed in the direction indicated by" the arrows 88.

Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the-re newabledoor sealing flange unit of .the door frame.

Figure 10: is a side elevational View as seen when looking in the direction of the arrows Ill-40.

Figures 11 and 12 are enlarged sectional views taken. on lines ll--ll and l 2-I2 respectively of Figure 9.

The conventionalrailway hopper car consists of a plurality of pairs of hoppers and the hoppers. of'each pair are disposed. on opposite sides of the center ofv thecar and are of identical construction. Only one ofthe hoppers onone side of the car center is, therefore, illustrated in the drawings and will be described herein.

In the drawings, indicates the car center sillwhich, in the embodiment of the invention here disclosed, consists of a single unitary member having a top Wall 2, a. side wall 3 and a flange 4 which extends outwardly from adjacent the lower edge of the side wall 3. overlyin the center'sill is alongitudinally-extending ridge sheet 5: which on each sideof'the center of the car has a downwardly inclined portion 6 to direct the lading within the car onto opposite sides of the center sill into the respective hoppers. Each in:- clined portion 6- preferably terminates in a, sub-'- stantially' vertical flange I which is riveted to the upper portion-of theiadjacent side wall of the center sill-1.

Extending longitudinally of the car parallel with the center .sill at each side of the car is a side. sill 8. which. may be of conventional angue lar shape having a verticalflange Si and a horie sheet or portionofthe. hopper is riveted to the.

upper iportion ofthead'jacent sidewall of the center silland inclines downwardly and outward-w ly, as indicated" at 15, to clear the outwardly projecting flange 4 of the center sill. From adjacent this flange, the inner side sheet of the hop per extends downwardly in a substantially vertical plane.

The upper portion of the sheet forming the outer side of the hopper is riveted along its upper edge to the inner face of the vertical flange 9 of the side sill and from there inclines downwardly to clear the inner edge of the inwardly projecting horizontal flange of the side sill, from where it inclines downwardly and inwardly a sufiicient amount that the appurtenances for keeping the hopper door closed will not project beyond the A. A. R. equipment limit line.

Extending transversely of the car between adjoining hoppers is a cross ridge sheet is which inclines downwardly and terminates adjacent the lading discharge opening of the hopper. Secured to the lower end of the cross ridge sheet, preferably by rivets, and extending from adjacent the center sill to an adjoining side sill is an angular member I! which forms the upper portion of the door frame and to which a door It having inwardly extending marginal flanges i9 is pivotally connected. This member is generally of z-shape in cross section having a web 20 and upper and lower flanges 2! and 22 respectively. The upper flange 2| is riveted to the cross ridge sheet iii in lapping relation to the under face thereof, while the web 20 may conveniently be arranged to be disposed at substantially right angles to the flange. Positioned within the angle formed by the web 20 and the upper flange 22 of the member I! are spaced hin e butts 23. Each hinge butt has base portions 24 and 25 respectively integrally connected by spaced lugs 26 which are formed with aligned apertures for receiving a pivot pin 21. The base member 24 of each hinge butt has portions 28 extending laterally from the hinge lugs by which the hinge butt is riveted to the upper flange 2| of the member IT. The base portion 25 which only extends between the hinge lugs is riveted to the adjacent portion of the web 20 of the member the upper end of the rivet being preferably countersunk so as not to interfere with free pivotal movement of the door l8.

Hinge straps We of any suitable construction may be secured to the outer face of the door and be bent upwardly where at their ends they are suitably apertured to receive the hinge pins 21. As is conventional in hopper car construction, a door spreader 29 is secured to the outer face of the door and extends beneath the center sill for attachment to the door (not shown) of the adjacent hopper on the other side of the center sill so that the doors will swing in unison. In the present embodiment of the invention, the door spreader is of Z-shape and the web 30 thereof serves as convenient means to which extensions or door arms, one of which is shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 2, may be conveniently connected adjacent opposite ends thereof.

Bounding the sides and bottom of the hopper adjacent the lading discharge opening is a rolled member 3| which is generally of U-shape having a web portion 32 which underlies the floor sheet ll of the hopper and upwardly extending legs 33 and 34 which are respectively secured to the inner and outer side walls of the hopper. The upper ends of the legs 33 and 34 are preferably welded to the outer ends of the upper member I1. In addition to having portions 35 for attachment to the adjacent walls of the hopper, each part of the U-shaped member has a flange 36,

which is disposed in a common plane substantially parallel with the lading discharge opening. The lower flange 22 of the angular member I! is also disposed in the same common plane so that its outer face and the outer faces of the flange 36 of the rolled member afiord means to which a door rim 3'! may be conveniently attached. As the door rim is preferably substantially rectangular, a plate 38 whose outer face is disposedinthe same common plane is welded along one side to the outer leg 34 of the U-shaped member and is welded along its upper edge to the lower edge of the adjacent portion of the flange 22 of the upper member. This plate which is of generally triangular shape changes the shape of the opening formed by uniting the upper member I! and the rolled member 3! into a substantially rectangular opening so that the door rim 31 may be readily secured to all parts of the frame.

The door rim 3! is preferably of angle shape having a laterally extending flange 39 and an outwardly projecting flange 40 for cooperating, as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5, with the inner faces of the marginal flanges IQ of the door to prevent the accidental escape of lading from the hopper. The lateral flange 39 of the door rim contacts with and is riveted, as indicated at 4!, to all portions of the door frame including the substantially triangular plate 38. At its upper end the flange 36 of the inner member 33 of the rolled member is cut away, as indicated at 42, so as to clear the outwardly projecting flange 4 of the center sill. And the outer edge portion of the flange 36 of the outer leg 34 of the member 3| may be cut away slightly, as indicated at 43, to receive the book 44 of the door lock supporting mechanism shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 2. .Where it overlaps the cut away portion 43, the lateral flange 39 of the door rim 3! is similarly cut away. The consequent loss of rigidity in the rim member which would be caused by the cutting away of part of the lateral flange 39 at the upper right hand corner of the door rim is compensated for by providing the rim with a supplementary flange 45 which while disposed in the same plane as flange 39 extends inwardly of the flange 40. The door rim is somewhat similarly constructed at the lower left hand corner thereof, in that the lower corner of the flange 39 is preferably cut away so that the door opening Irfay be of maximum size. Loss of strength of the door rim is also avoided at this point by providing a supplementary flange 46 which extends inwardly with respect to the flange 40 disposed in the same plane as the flange 39.

As the upper inner portion of the door frame terminates some distance from the adjacent side wall of the center sill, the inclined portion I5 of the inner hopper side sheet is bent upwardly and outwardly to form a substantially triangularly shaped portion 4'! for closing that portion of the hopper. At its upper edge the triangular portion 4! may be welded, as indicated at 48, to the under side of the adjacent portion of the cross ridge sheet l6 and for its entire length the triangular portion may advantageously be disposed in a plane which is substantially parallel with the plane of the adjacent portion of the cross ridge sheet. As shown in Figure 6, the inner side sheet of the hopper continues downwardly substantially vertically for the outer edge of the triangular portion 41 so that it may be convenientlyattached to the adjacent'portion of- 'the' inner. leg i 33 of the door frame.-

' An angle member49 m'aybe"advantageouslyemployed to'support the; inner. portion. of the hopper door frame. This member may conveniently have an upper flange 5!! which is over1ap-- pingly secured to the; projecting flanged of the center sill and a mainportion' 5lwhioh' is connected directly to the adjacent portion of thedoor frame and to the; innenside sheet as well. 'In addition to other advantages, the present invention permits thedoor sealing flange M! to be replaced by cutting away the-rivets connecting the door rim 3'l' to the door frame. It, therefore,

becomesunnecessary to replace the entireframe when only thedoor .sealin'g'flangene'eds to'be re'- placed as a resultof'wear due to corrosive action which takes place principally around the lower portion of the door sealing flange.

Various modifications may be made in the embodiment of the invention here disclosed without departing from the. scope of the invention as it appears. in the appended claims.

WhatI claim is:

1;. 'A.door frame for the hopper of; a railway car provided with a hingedly mounted door having inturned marginal flanges for closing the-lading discharge opening of the hopper, said door frame comprising a rolled member having portions adapted to be respectively secured to the bottom and to the inner and outer sides of the hopper, an upper member welded to the upper ends of the portions of said rolled member which are adapted to be secured to the inner and outer sides of the hopper, each of said portions having flanges whose outer surfaces are disposed in a common plane, and an angular member having a flange riveted to said flanges and also having an outwardly extending flange for cooperating with the marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading.

2. A door frame for the hopper of a railway car provided with a hingedly mounted door having inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading discharge opening of the hopper, said door frame comprising a substantially U-shaped member having a web portion adapted to be secured to the bottom of the hopper and leg portions adapted to be respectively secured to the inner and outer sides of the hopper, an upper member connecting the upper ends of said leg portions, each of said portions and said upper member having flanges whose outer faces are disposed in a common plane, and an angular member having a portion contacting said faces and riveted to said flanges, said angular member alsohaving an outwardly extending flange for cooperating with the marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading.

3. A door frame for the hopper of a railway car provided with a hingedly mounted door having inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading discharge opening of the hopper, said door frame comprising means secured to the hopper and bounding the lading discharge opening, said means having portions on four sides of said opening whose outer faces are disposed in a common plane, and an angular member having a flange riveted to each of said portions and also having an additional flange projecting outwardly therefrom for cooperating with the inner faces of said marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the loss' of.

lading.

provided with. ahingedly mounted door havin inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading;

dischargeopening of thehopper, said framecomprising a substantially U-shaped member having a. web portion adapted to be secured tov the floor of the hopper and upwardly extending leg portions respectively adapted to be secured to the inner and outer sides of the hopper, the leg. portion which is adapted. to be secured to the outer side of the hopper being inclined outwardly, an upper member connecting the upper ends of said leg portions, a substantially triangular plate have; ing one edge bounding a portion of the. lading discharge opening and respectively secured to said inclined leg. portion andsaid upper member, and an angular member surrounding the. lading .dis-.

charge. opening, saidangular member having a flange riveted to; said U-shaped member, to said: upper member and to said plate, said angular member also having an outwardly extending. flange for cooperating with the inner faces of said. marginal. flanges of the hinged door'to. seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading. l

5. A door frame for the hopper of a railway: car provided with a hingedly mounted; doorhaving inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading discharge opening of the hopper, a U- shaped member bounding the bottom and two sides of the lading discharge opening, an angular member connecting the upper ends of the portions of the member secured to the inner and outer sides of the hopper, said U-shaped member having flanges whose outer-faces are respectively disposed in a common plane, and an angular member surrounding the lading discharge opening havin means contacting the outer faces of said flanges and riveted thereto, said angular member also having an outwardly extending flange for cooperating with the inner faces of said marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading.

6. A multipart door frame for the hopper of a railway car provided with a hingedly mounted door having inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading discharge opening of the hopper, said door frame having one part adapted to be secured to the hopper and having portions on all four sides of the lading discharge opening disposed in a common plane, and a second part bounding the lading discharge opening and being provided with angularly disposed flanges, one of the flanges of said second part being riveted to said portions of the first part and another of said flanges extending outwardly from the hopper for cooperating with the marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading.

7. A door frame for the hopper of a railway car provided with a hingedly mounted door having inturned marginal flanges for closing the lading discharge opening of the hopper, said door frame comprising a member of substantially angle shape adapted to be secured to the sides and bottom of the hopper, said member having portions for attachment to the hopper and also having flanges in a common plane parallel with the lading discharge opening, an angular member connecting the free ends of the portions of said member which are adapted to be secured to the sides of the hopper, said angular member also havinga flange disposed in said common plane, and an angle shaped member bounding the lading discharge opening having a flange contacting the flanges of said member and of said upper member and riveted thereto, said angle shaped member having another flange extending outwardly for cooperating with the marginal flanges of the hinged door to seal the lading discharge opening against the escape of lading.

8. A railway car having a hopper provided with a ladin discharge opening, said hopper including inner and outer side sheets and a downwardly inclined floor sheet, a center sill having an outwardly projecting flange adjacent its lower edge, said inner side sheet of the hopper being attached to the upper portion of the center sill and being inclined outwardly therefrom to clear the flange thereof and depend therebelow, a door frame secured to said sheets adjacent the lading discharge opening, a downwardly inclined cross a lading discharge opening, said hopper includ-' ing inner and outer side sheets and a downwardly inclined floor sheet, a center sill having a flange projecting outwardly adjacent its lower edge, the upper edge of the inner side sheet be-' ing attached to the center sill and being inclined outwardly and downwardly therefrom to clear the flange thereof and depend therebelow, and a door frame secured to said sheets adjacent the lading discharge opening, the inclined portion of said inner side sheet adjacent the door frame being bent to provide a substantially triangular portion closing the upper portion of said hopper, said triangular portion being inclined upwardly from adjacent said flange of the center sill to the top of said door frame.

WILLIAM E. WINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,756,075 Wine Apr. 29, 1930 1,839,644 Campbell Jan. 5, 1932 1,912,620 Campbell June 6, 1933 2,101,448 Ostrander et al. Dec. 7, 1937 

